t was May 18, 2002, and the boxing world had few doubts about Arturo Gatti vs. Micky Ward. There wasn’t a question of whether the fight would be good. The only question was, how good? Fight of the month? Definitely. Fight of the year? Probably. Fight of the decade? Possibly.
The two courageous, heavy-handed warriors didn’t disappoint. Ward upset Gatti in an unreal brawl that spawned a legendary trilogy, with Gatti winning both rematches.
So, it is appropriate that exactly 11 years to the day later, junior welterweights Lamont Peterson and Lucas Matthysse will meet in a similar “can’t miss” showdown: same weight class, same expectations. It features perhaps the hardest puncher in boxing (Matthysse), against the hardest-working fighter in boxing (Peterson). But the stakes are higher than Gatti-Ward, as these two will be battling for possible division supremacy.
It doesn’t matter that no belt is on the line: the boxing world is anticipating a gem when they meet at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City (7 p.m. today, Showtime).
Back to life
Peterson, 31-1-1 (16 knockouts), should really be considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in boxing. He upset Amir Khan in December 2011 at a time when Khan was coming into his own. He outworked Khan in a slugfest, winning a split decision and two versions of the junior welterweight title.
But then Peterson, who lives in Washington, D.C., tested positive for synthetic testosterone before a rematch Advertisement
with Khan, and was stripped of his WBA title. Peterson said it was prescribed to him by a doctor, but the damage was done. And it was like he vanished from earth.
But, in his first fight back in more than a year in February, Peterson destroyed the dependable Kendall Holt, knocking him out in eight rounds. It took Peterson a bit to get revved up, but once he did, Holt was done.
When Peterson gets going, he’s a freight train. “Havoc” was back. Now, he faces the biggest test of his career.
Matthysse, 33-2 (31 KOs), of Argentina, is one of those fighters that gives fight fans goosebumps. Flat out, the guy can punch. And when he’s in with inferior opposition, it doesn’t take long for him to produce the highlight-reel KO.
In his last fight in January, opponent Mike Dallas was doing well, winning the first half of round one with speed and boxing ability. But, like great punchers of the past, like Julian Jackson and Mike Tyson and Earnie Shavers and Thomas Hearns, Matthysse only needed one tiny little opening. And when he got it, Dallas found himself unconscious. Time: 2:26 of the first round.
Before that, he dismantled the previously undefeated Ajose Olusegun in 10 rounds, and stopped Humberto Soto in five. His strength is unmistakable. Matthysse comes to get guys out of there.
He can be outboxed, as he was by Zab Judah and Devon Alexander in close fights. But, Peterson isn’t a boxer. He fights. Which is why Peterson vs. Matthysse is so attractive.
Go with Peterson
The one thing that thoroughly discourages a puncher is an excellent chin. And Peterson has that. He showed it against Khan. He showed it against Victor Ortiz (though he was down twice). And he showed it against Timothy Bradley.
And Peterson is tough, having survived a nightmare childhood. He will not be intimidated by Matthysse’s power.
So look for Peterson to engage Matthysse early, willingly trade, survive some ridiculous bombs (and possibly a knockdown or two), to wear a stunned, exhausted Matthysse down late in the fight.
Like Gatti-Ward, expect a classic.
Peterson by 12th-round TKO.
Matthew Aguilar may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @MatthewAguilar5
